Inlet shear heating reduction factor

Compared with the quantity of lubricant available in the bearing, not all of it can go through the contact area. Only a tiny amount of lubricant is used to form a hydrodynamic film. Therefore, some of the oil close to the contact area inlet is rejected and produces a reverse flow (fig. 1). This reverse flow shears the lubricant, generating heat, which lowers the oil viscosity and reduces the film thickness and rolling friction.